Mail-box.



PATENTED NOV. 3, 1903.v

M. J. LAWRENCE.

MAIL BOX.

ION r UNITED STATES Patented November 3, 1903;

PATENT OFFICE.

MAIL-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 743,297, dated November.3, 1903.

Application filed March 1903.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MILTON J. LAWRENCE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Beaver, in the county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Boxes, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention provides a box involving novel structural features,especially designed for receiving and delivering mail in ruraldistricts, same when closed preventing the cover being blown open by thewind and injuring the contentsof the box in wet weather. Combined withthe box is a signal of peculiar formation to-notify by its position thecarrier and resident that the box contains mail either to be forwardedor delivered. When the signal is vertical, it is a notice to the carrierthat mail is to be collected and when pendent it apprises the residenteither that the mail has been collected or that the box contains matterfor the occupant of the premises.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and alsoto acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means foreffecting the result, reference is to be had to the followingdescription and drawings hereto attached.

While the essential and characteristic features of theinvention aresusceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-=-Figure l is a perspective view of a mailbox embodying the invention.Fig. 2 is an end view having the upper front portion broken awayandshowing the operation of the hasp and signal by dotted lines.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in both views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

The box 1 is preferably of metal, although this is not essential so longas a receptacle is provided that will protect the contentsfrom SerialNo. 146,406. (No model.)

desired construction, so as to hold matter sep arated, and, as shown,straps 3 are made fast at their ends to the sides of the box anddeflected intermediate of their ends to provide spaces for reception ofany desired matter.

The cover 2 is hinged to a side of the box and opens upward and rearwardand is provided with a pendent rim 4, encircling the upper edgeof thesides of the box and spaced therefrom a short distance, so as topreclude the entrance of water into the box. A hasp 5 is rigidlyconnected at one end to the free edge portion of the cover and isadapted to cooperate with a staple 6, applied to the front side of thebox, so as to secure the cover against accidental opening by wind orfrom other cause, whereby the contents of the box are protected frominclement weather, as well as from loss by being blown away during agale or high wind. 5 is resilient and constructed so as to automaticallyengage with the staple, the spring action being derived in part from thecover and partly from the construction of the hasp itself. When thecover is closed tight upon the box, the hasp 5 snaps over the staple andautomatically secures the cover and prevents same from being blown openby the wind. For further securitya padlock 7 may be employed in theaccustomed way, the carrier and the resident each being provided with akey to admit of access to the box.

The signal comprises an arm 8, pivoted at one end to the box andprovided at its opposite end -with a disk or plate 9 of a bright colorto attract attention and readily discernible from a distance. Acam-slot10 is formed in the pivoted arm 8 at a point intermediate of its endsand is adapted to cooperate with a headed stud 11 applied to the cover,so as tohold the arm in perpendicular relation when the signal is set toindicate to the carrier that the box contains matter for collection. Byhaving the stud 11 headed the signal-arm 8 is prevented from outwarddisplacement when turned into a vertical position, thereby sustainingsame against wind tending to force the upper end of the signal away fromthe box. arm 8 to throwend portions thereof in differ ent planes,whereby the lower portion may An offset 12 is formed in the pivoted Thehasp bear against the box and the upper portion against the edge of thecover, this being necessary in order to obviate strain upon the pivotedconnection between said arm and box, as it must be remembered that thepart of the cover-carrying stud 11 projects beyond the side of the boxsupporting the signal. The cam-slot extends through an edge of thepivoted arm and flares atits receiving end to facilitate the entrance ofthe stud therein when setting the signal.

The mail-box is placed in any convenient and conspicuous place, and whenthe resident or occupant of premises desires to place mail forcollection same is deposited in the box and the signal turned into avertical position, the

headed stud being received in the cam-slot 10, the cover being tightlyclosed to cause the hasp 5 to automatically snap over staple 6. Thecarrier seeing the signal is advised that the box contains matter forcollection and upon opening the cover automatically throws the signal soit will occupy a pendent position, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig.2. The resident or occupant of the premises upon seeing the signalreversed or in pendent position is informed that collection has beenmade and also that the box may contain matter placed therein by thecarrier for delivery. It will thus be understood that the signal by aprearranged plan may be used to notify the carrier that collection is tobe made and to apprise the owner or resident that matter has been placedin the box for delivery.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Incombination, a mail-box, a hinged cover therefor, a signal-arm pivotedto the box and provided with a cam-slot, and a stud applied to the coverand adapted to engage with said cam-slot and hold the signal indeterminate position, said signal being released and turned aside uponopening the cover, substantially as described.

2. In combination, a mail-box, a hinged cover therefor, a signal-armpivoted to the box and provided with a cam-slot, and a headed studapplied to said cover and adapted to cooperate With the cam-slot of thesignal-arm v MILTON J. LAWRENCE.

Witnesses:

W. B. FREEMAN, A. DICKEY.

